As we head into autumn we're happy to announce that we have teamed up with Cornwall-based potter Shannon-Bartlett Smith, who has created these simple and elegant, wheel-thrown wine cups - each one unique, stamped with a Scarlet Wines mark and with a little dimple on the side that feels wonderful in the hand. 

Clay became a fundamental part of Shannon's life when she happened upon a hand building workshop while studying at Bristol School of Art, after which she caught the bug and spent many hours busy at the wheel, learning the basics of throwing, and enjoying the meditative space working with clay gives. She went on to graduate with a BA in Contemporaray Crafts from Falmouth University.

Shannon completed an 18 months internship at the Leach Pottery St Ives, where she was able to fully immerse herself into the studio pottery way of life and learn the Japanese ideologies that the Leach prides itself on. Following on from her internship she taught and ran courses at the Leach Pottery, and continues to offer an array of courses from her Studio. 

Since 2021 Shannon has been successfully running her own pottery, working from a delightful Studio near Chysauster, Cornwall. She is currently developing my own tableware line, selling through galleries and shops, while also producing plates for high-end restaurants; something that has become one of her most enjoyable tasks as she enjoys the creative process of considering the dishes that the plate will be used for. This results in outcomes that push her skills and leads her to create something she may not have, if it wasn’t for the chef’s brief. You may have enjoyed using one of Shannon's plates in a restaurant near you!

She describes her practice:

'The pots I make are honest and long lasting, a balance between function and form - focussing on making pieces which are not only beautiful to look at but are a pleasure to use too. I embrace the fact that each item is uniquely handmade; for example a makers mark in the form of a finger outline, where I held the pot to glaze it, or using my hands rather than tools to create as much of the pot as I can, allowing the pot to tell a story of its creation.'

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 Sustainability

Sustainability is very important to Scarlet Wines and is also a huge factor in the creation of Shannon's work. She seeks ways to lower the carbon footprint of her practice: such as firing to cooler temperatures, using clean energy to power her kiln and ensuring the clay she works with uses a less invasive mining process. The Scarlet wine cups she has produced are made from a local Cornish clay; the glaze enhancing the minerals in the clay such as quartz, iron and slate and pots are all electric-fired. 

         The Journey Of A Cup - From Clay To The Table...

We thought you might like to see the stages in Shannon making our cups: from a ball of Cornish stoneware clay to pugging it to remove air bubbles, throwing on the wheel, to bisque firing, glazing, final electric firing and: the finished cup - ready to receive lots of lovely wine (or port, brandy or whatever you fancy!). We think they are wonderful.

To see more of Shannon's work, or to book one of her courses please head to:                                                              wwwshannonbartlett-Smith.com

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